Woman accused of $400,000 tax fraud

February 09, 2012|Staff report

A Chicago woman is scheduled to appear in federal court tomorrow afternoon, accused of misusing identities to get more than $400,000 in bogus tax refunds and Social Security benefits, federal authorities announced today.

Zorana Theresa Charleston-Black filed 293 false income tax returns claiming $403,697 in IRS refunds between 2005 and 2008, according to a release from the U.S. Attorney’s office.

Charleston-Black, 35, who was arrested on Tuesday, also used a stolen identity to fraudulently collect more than $25,000 in Social Security benefits, the release said.

The 22-count indictment was returned Jan. 11, charging her with 20 counts of filing false claims against the United States, and one count each of theft of government funds and aggravated identity theft, the release said.